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Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report

Weekly Volcanic Activity Map

The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report is a cooperative project between the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Program and the US Geological Survey's Volcano Hazards Program. Updated by 2300 UTC every Wednesday and averaging 16 reported volcanoes, this is not a comprehensive list of all eruptions this week, but rather a summary of activity that meet criteria discussed in the "Criteria and Disclaimers" section below.

Volcanic activity reported here is preliminary and subject to change. Carefully reviewed, detailed narratives over longer time periods are published as reports of the Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network available through volcano profile pages.

Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for the week of 26 August-1 September 2009
Name Country Volcanic Region Eruption Start Date Report Status
Kanlaon Philippines Negros-Sulu Volcanic Arc 2024 Oct 19 New
Kolokol Group Russia Kuril Volcanic Arc New
Koryaksky Russia Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc New
Aira Japan Ryukyu Volcanic Arc 2017 Mar 25 Continuing
Batu Tara Indonesia Sunda Volcanic Arc Continuing
Chaiten Chile Southern Andean Volcanic Arc Continuing
Dukono Indonesia Halmahera Volcanic Arc 1933 Aug 13 Continuing
Karymsky Russia Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc 2024 Jun 20 Continuing
Kilauea United States Hawaiian-Emperor Hotspot Volcano Group 2024 Dec 23 Continuing
Kizimen Russia Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc Continuing
Pacaya Guatemala Central America Volcanic Arc Continuing
Popocatepetl Mexico Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt 2005 Jan 9 Continuing
Rabaul Papua New Guinea Bismarck Volcanic Arc Continuing
Santa Maria Guatemala Central America Volcanic Arc 1922 Jun 22 Continuing
Sheveluch Russia Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc 1999 Aug 15 Continuing
Suwanosejima Japan Ryukyu Volcanic Arc 2004 Oct 23 Continuing
All times are local unless otherwise stated.
Weekly Reports Archive

Since the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report began in November 2000, there have been 20,890 individual reports over 1,255 weeks (average of 17 per week) on 339 different volcanoes.

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Use the dropdowns to choose the year and week for archived Weekly Reports.

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Adams Cotopaxi Iliamna Little Sitkin Poas Sumbing
Agung Cuicocha Iliwerung Llaima Popocatepetl Sumisujima
Ahyi Cumbal Inielika Lokon-Empung Purace Sundoro
Aira Dabbahu Ioto Lonquimay Puyehue-Cordon Caulle Suoh
Akan Davidof Irazu Lopevi Rabaul Suretamatai
Alaid Dempo Iwatesan Machin Raikoke Suwanosejima
Alu-Dalafilla Descabezado Grande Iya Makushin Ranakah Taal
Ambae Dieng Volcanic Complex Izu-Torishima Maly Semyachik Raoul Island Tair, Jebel at
Ambang Dukono Jackson Segment Manam Rasshua Takawangha
Ambrym East Epi Kaba Manda Hararo Raung Talang
Anatahan Ebeko Kadovar Marapi Redoubt Tambora
Aniakchak Ebulobo Kaitoku Seamount Maroa Reventador Tanaga
Antillanca Volcanic Complex Edgecumbe Kama'ehuakanaloa Martin Reykjanes Tandikat-Singgalang
Antuco Egon Kambalny Masaya Rincon de la Vieja Tangkoko-Duasudara
Apoyeque Ekarma Kanaga Matthew Island Rinjani Tangkuban Parahu
Arenal Eldey Kanlaon Maule, Laguna del Ritter Island Tara, Batu
Asamayama Erebus Karangetang Mauna Loa Rotorua Ta'u
Askja Erta Ale Karkar Mayon Ruang Taupo
Asosan Etna Karthala McDonald Islands Ruapehu Telica
Atka Volcanic Complex Etorofu-Yakeyama [Grozny Group] Karymsky Melebingoy Ruby Tenerife
Augustine Eyjafjallajokull Kasatochi Melimoyu Ruiz, Nevado del Tengger Caldera
Avachinsky Fagradalsfjall Katla Merapi Sabancaya Three Sisters
Awu Fentale Katmai Midagahara Sakar Tinakula
Axial Seamount Fernandina Kavachi Misti, El Salak Tofua
Azul, Cerro Fogo Kelimutu Miyakejima San Cristobal Tokachidake
Azumayama Fonualei Kelud Momotombo San Miguel Tolbachik
Bagana Fournaise, Piton de la Kerinci Monowai San Vicente Toliman
Balbi Fourpeaked Ketoi Montagu Island Sangay Tongariro
Bamus Fuego Kharimkotan Moyorodake [Medvezhia] Sangeang Api Trident
Banda Api Fujisan Kick 'em Jenny Mutnovsky Santa Ana Tungurahua
Bardarbunga Fukutoku-Oka-no-Ba Kie Besi Myojinsho Santa Maria Turrialba
Barren Island Galeras Kikai Nabro Sao Jorge Ubinas
Batur Galunggung Kilauea Negra, Sierra Sarigan Ugashik-Peulik
Bezymianny Gamalama Kirishimayama Negro, Cerro Sarychev Peak Ukinrek Maars
Bogoslof Gamkonora Kita-Ioto Nightingale Island Saunders Ulawun
Brava Gareloi Kizimen Nishinoshima Savo Unnamed
Bristol Island Gaua Klyuchevskoy Nisyros Semeru Unnamed
Bulusan Gorely Kolokol Group Novarupta Semisopochnoi Veniaminof
Calbuco Great Sitkin Koryaksky NW Rota-1 Seulawah Agam Villarrica
Callaqui Grimsvotn Krakatau Nyamulagira Sheveluch Vulcano
Cameroon Guagua Pichincha Krummel-Garbuna-Welcker Nyiragongo Shishaldin West Mata
Campi Flegrei Guallatiri Krysuvik-Trolladyngja Ofu-Olosega Simbo Westdahl
Campi Flegrei del Mar di Sicilia Guntur Kuchinoerabujima Okataina Sinabung Whakaari/White Island
Cayambe Hachijojima Kurikomayama Okmok Sinarka Witori
Chachadake [Tiatia] Hakoneyama Kusatsu-Shiranesan Ontakesan Siple Wolf
Chaiten Heard Kverkfjoll Oraefajokull Sirung Wrangell
Chiginagak Hekla La Palma Osorno Slamet Yakedake
Chikurachki Helgrindur Lamington Pacaya Snaefellsjokull Yasur
Chiles-Cerro Negro Hierro Lamongan Pagan Soputan Yellowstone
Chillan, Nevados de Hokkaido-Komagatake Langila Palena Volcanic Group Sorikmarapi Yufu-Tsurumi
Chirinkotan Home Reef Lanin Paluweh Sotara Zaozan [Zaosan]
Chirpoi Hood Lascar Panarea Soufriere Hills Zavodovski
Ciremai Huaynaputina Late Papandayan Soufriere St. Vincent Zhupanovsky
Cleveland Hudson, Cerro Lateiki Pavlof South Sarigan Seamount Zubair Group
Colima Huila, Nevado del Lengai, Ol Doinyo Pelee Spurr
Colo Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai Leroboleng Peuet Sague St. Helens
Concepcion Ibu Lewotobi Pinatubo Stromboli
Copahue Ijen Lewotolok Planchon-Peteroa Sulu Range
 News Feeds and Google Placemarks


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The RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed is identical to the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report minus some features including the header information (latitude and longitude and summit elevation), the Geologic Summary, and a link to the volcano's page from the Global Volcanism Program. At the end of each report is a list of the sources used. Each volcano report includes a link from the volcano's name back to the more complete information in the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report on the Smithsonian website. This feature was first made available on 5 March 2008.



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A Google Earth network link for the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report can be loaded into the free Google Earth software, and in turn will load placemarks for volcanoes in the current weekly report. Placemark balloons include the volcano name, report date, report text, sources, and links back to the GVP volcano profile page and to the complete Weekly Report for that week. This feature was first made available on 1 April 2009.

 Criteria & Disclaimers

Criteria



The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report does not necessarily include all volcanic activity that occurred on Earth during the week. More than a dozen volcanoes globally have displayed more-or-less continuous eruptive activity for decades or longer, and such routine activity is typically not reported here. Moreover, Earth's sea-floor volcanism is seldom reported even though in theory it represents the single most prolific source of erupted material. The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report summarizes volcanic activity that meets one or more of the following criteria:

- A volcano observatory raises or lowers the alert level at the volcano.
- A volcanic ash advisory has been released by a volcanic ash advisory center (VAAC) stating that an ash cloud has been produced from the volcano.
- A verifiable news report of new activity or a change in activity at the volcano has been issued.
- Observers have reported a significant change in volcanic activity. Such activity can include, but is not restricted to, pyroclastic flows, lahars, lava flows, dome collapse, or increased unrest.

Volcanoes are included in the "New Activity/Unrest" section of the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report if the activity occurs after at least 3 months of quiescence. Once a volcano is included in the "New Activity/Unrest" section, updates will remain in that section unless the activity continues for more than 1 month without escalating, after which time updates will be listed in the "Continuing Activity" section. Volcanoes are also included in the "New Activity/Unrest" section if the volcano is undergoing a period of relatively high unrest, or increasing unrest. This is commonly equal to Alert Level Orange on a scale of Green, Yellow, Orange, Red, where Red is the highest alert. Or alert level 3 on a scale of 1-4 or 1-5.

It is important to note that volcanic activity meeting one or more of these criteria may occur during the week, but may not be included in the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report because we did not receive a report.

Disclaimers



1. The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report is intended to provide timely information about global volcanism on a weekly basis. Consequently, the report is generated rapidly by summarizing volcanic reports from various sources, with little time for fact checking. The accuracy of the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report is dependent upon the quality of the volcanic activity reports we receive. Reports published in the Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network are cover longer time periods and are more carefully reviewed, although all of the volcanoes discussed in the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report are not necessarily reported in the Bulletin. Because of our emphasis on rapid reporting on the web we have avoided diacritical marks. Reports are updated on the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report web page as they are received, therefore information may be included regarding events that occurred before the current report period.

2. Rapidly developing events lead to coverage that is often fragmentary. Volcanoes, their eruptions, and their plumes and associated atmospheric effects are complex phenomena that may require months to years of data analysis in order to create a comprehensive summary and interpretation of events.

3. Preliminary accounts sometimes contain exaggerations and "false alarms," and accordingly, this report may include some events ultimately found to be erroneous or misleading.

4. Many news agencies do not archive the articles they post on the Internet, and therefore the links to some sources may not be active. To obtain information about the cited articles that are no longer available on the Internet contact the source.

5. USGS Disclaimer Statement for this Website:

Information presented on this website is considered public information and may be distributed or copied. Use of appropriate byline/photo/image credit is requested. We strongly recommend that USGS data be acquired directly from a USGS server and not through other sources that may change the data in some way. While USGS makes every effort to provide accurate and complete information, various data such as names, telephone numbers, etc. may change prior to updating. USGS welcomes suggestions on how to improve our home page and correct errors. USGS provides no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of furnished data.

Some of the documents on this server may contain live references (or pointers) to information created and maintained by other organizations. Please note that USGS does not control and cannot guarantee the relevance, timeliness, or accuracy of these outside materials.

For site security purposes and to ensure that this service remains available to all users, this government computer system employs software programs to monitor network traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information, or otherwise cause damage. Unauthorized attempts to upload information or change information on this website are strictly prohibited and may be punishable under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 and the National Information Infrastructure Protection Act. Information may also be used for authorized law enforcement investigations. (Last modified September 21, 1999.)

U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA, USA
URL: https://volcano.si.edu/reports_weekly.cfm

 Acronyms and Abbreviations

a.s.l. - above sea level

AVO - Alaska Volcano Observatory

AVHRR - Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer

CENAPRED - Centro Nacionale de Prevencion de Desastres (México)

CONRED - Coordinadora Nacional para la Reducción de Desastres

COSPEC - Correlation Spectrometer

CVGHM (formerly VSI) - Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation

CVO - Cascades Volcano Observatory (USGS)

GMS - Geostationary Meteorological Satellite

GOES - Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite

GVO - Goma Volcano Observatory

GVP - Global Volcanism Program (Smithsonian Institution)

HVO - Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (USGS)

ICE - Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (Costa Rica)

IG - Instituto Geofísico (Ecuador)

IGNS - Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (New Zealand) - now GNS Science

INETER - Instituto Nicaragüense de Estudios Territoriales (Nicaragua)

INGEMMET - Instituto Geológical Minero y Metalúrgico (Peru)

INGEOMINAS - Instituto Colombiano de Geología y Minería (Colombia)

INGV-CT - Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia - Sezione di Catania (Italy)

INSIVUMEH - Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia e Hidrologia (Guatemala)

IRD - Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (France)

JMA - Japanese Meteorological Agency

KEMSD - Kamchatkan Experimental and Methodical Seismilogical Department

KVERT - Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team

M - magnitude

METEOSAT - Meteorological Satellite

MEVO - Mount Erebus Volcano Observatory

MODIS - Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer

MVO - Montserrat Volcano Observatory

MWO - Meteorological Watch Office

NEIC - National Earthquake Information Center

NIED - National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (Japan)

NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NOTAM - Notice to Airmen

OVDAS - Observatorio Volcanologico de los Andes del Sur (Chile)

OFDA - Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance

ONEMI - Oficina Nacional de Emergencia - Ministerio del Interior (Chile)

OVPDLF - Observatoire Volcanologique du Piton de la Fournaise (France)

OVSICORI-UNA - Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica, Universidad Nacional (Costa Rica)

PHIVOLCS - Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philippines)

RSAM - Real-time Seismic Amplitude Measurement

RVO - Rabaul Volcano Observatory

SERNAGEOMIN - Servicio Nacional de Geologia y Mineria (Chile)

SIGMET - Significant Meteorological Information

SNET - Servicio Nacional de Estudios Territoriales (El Salvador)

SVERT - Sakhalin Volcanic Eruption Response Team (Russia)

USAID - US Agency for International Development

USGS - United States Geological Survey

UTC - Coordinated Universal Time

VAAC - Volcanic Ash Advisory Center

VAFTAD - Volcanic Ash Forecast Transport And Dispersion

VDAP - Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (USGS)

VHP - Volcano Hazards Program (USGS)

VRC - Volcano Research Center (Japan)

Report for Kanlaon
PHIVOLCS reported that during 23 August-1 September the seismic network for Kanlaon detected a significant rise in the number of earthquakes. A few of the earthquakes were felt as far away as Bago City, 30 km NW. The epicenters clustered on the NW flank.
Source: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)
Report for Kolokol Group
Based on analyses of satellite imagery, SVERT reported that on 26 August a gas-and-steam plume possibly containing ash rose from Berg (part of the Kolokol Group of volcanoes) to an altitude greater than 6 km (19,700 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE.
Source: Sakhalin Volcanic Eruption Response Team (SVERT)
Report for Koryaksky
KVERT reported that seismic activity from Koryaksky was slightly above background levels during 20-23 August and at background levels during 24-27 August. Ash plumes were seen in satellite imagery drifting more than 385 km in easterly directions. Gas-and-steam plumes containing ash that rose to an altitude of 3.7 km (12,100 ft) a.s.l. were seen drifting in multiple directions during 26-27 August. The Level of Concern Color Code remained at Orange.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Report for Aira
Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported that explosions from Sakura-jima during 26-29 August and 1 September produced plumes that rose to altitudes of 1.2-3.4 km (4,000-11,000 ft) a.s.l. Plumes occasionally drifted N, NE, and E. An explosion was reported on 31 August but no information about a possible resulting plume was reported.
Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Report for Batu Tara
Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 26 August-1 September ash plumes from Batu Tara rose to altitudes of 1.5-2.4 m (5,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 15-55 km W, NW, and N.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Report for Chaiten
SERNAGEOMIN reported that during 4-20 August Chaitén's Domo Nuevo 1 and Domo Nuevo 2 lava-dome complex continued to grow, particularly in the W area of the complex. Gas-and-ash plumes occasionally rose 1.5 km above the lava domes. Based on web camera views and analyses of satellite imagery, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that on 31 August a 4-km-wide ash plume drifted 20 km NE at an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l.
Sources: Buenos Aires Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN)
Report for Dukono
Based on analyses of satellite imagery and pilot observations, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 26 August-1 September ash plumes from Dukono rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 20-65 km NE.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Report for Karymsky
KVERT reported that seismic activity at Karymsky was slightly above background levels on 20 and 21 August and at background levels during 22-31 August. Analysis of satellite imagery revealed a small thermal anomaly over the volcano on 21 August. The Level of Concern Color Code was lowered to Green on 31 August.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Report for Kilauea
During 26 August-1 September, HVO reported that lava flowed SE from underneath Kilauea's Thanksgiving Eve Breakout (TEB) and rootless shield complex through a lava tube system, reaching the Waikupanaha ocean entry. The vent in Halema'uma'u crater continued to produce a diffuse white plume that drifted mainly SW. Small amounts of ash-sized "rock dust" were retrieved from collection bins placed near the plume. Degassing sounds were occasionally heard in the vicinity of the vent. Incandescence from the floor of the vent was visible at night on the web camera, or from HVO. The sulfur dioxide emission rate at the summit remained elevated; 1,000 and 950 tonnes per day were measured on 26 and 27 August, respectively. The 2003-2007 average rate was 140 tonnes per day.
Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
Report for Kizimen
KVERT reported that seismic activity at Kizimen had decreased to background levels on 23 August and remained there through 31 August. Volcanologists observed gas-and-steam plumes rising from the summit, activity described as normal. The Level of Concern Color Code was lowered to Green on 31 August.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Report for Pacaya
On 28 August and 1 September, INSIVUMEH reported that white and blue plumes from Pacaya's MacKenney cone drifted S and SW. Multiple lava flows 15-200 m long traveled S and SW.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)
Report for Popocatepetl
CENAPRED reported that during 26-27 August emissions of steam and gas from Popocatépetl sometimes contained slight amounts of ash. Based on information from the Mexico City MWO, the Washington VAAC reported that on 27 August an ash plume rose to an altitude of 6.1 km (20,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW.
Sources: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Centro Nacional de Prevencion de Desastres (CENAPRED)
Report for Rabaul
Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 28-29 August ash plumes from Rabaul caldera's Tavurvur cone rose to an altitude of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 90-260 km NW and W.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Report for Santa Maria
On 28 August, INSIVUMEH reported an explosion from Santa María's Santiaguito lava dome complex. On 1 September, fumarolic plumes rose 150 m above Caliente dome and drifted SW. Avalanches descended the SW flank of the dome.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)
Report for Sheveluch
KVERT reported that during 21-27 August seismic activity from Shiveluch was above background levels. Analyses of satellite imagery revealed a large daily thermal anomaly over the lava dome. Based on interpretations of seismic data, ash plumes possibly rose to an altitude of 4.8 km (15,700 ft) a.s.l. and hot avalanches occurred on the lava dome. Gas-and-steam plumes rose to an altitude of 3.3 km (10,800 ft) a.s.l. during 20-23 and 26-27 August. The Level of Concern Color Code remained at Orange.

Based on information from KEMSD, the Tokyo VAAC reported that on 31 August eruptions produced plumes that rose to altitudes of 4.6-5.5 km (15,000-18,000 ft) a.s.l.
Sources: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT), Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Report for Suwanosejima
Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported that explosions from Suwanose-jima during 27-29 August sometimes produced plumes that rose to altitudes of 1.5-2.4 km (5,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W.
Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)